Job Title: Accountant
Hiring Organization: Research Triangle Institute
Location – Locality: Kisumu
Location – Region: Kenya
Industry: Research
Job Type: Full Time
Salary: KES
Date Posted: 06/05/2024
Research
Triangle Institute (RTI) has over 30 years’ experience assisting governments,
communities, and the private sector. As a not-for-profit, independent research
institute based in North Carolina, USA, RTI has roughly 5,000 employees with
global experience implementing international development projects. RTI’s
Sustainable Growth & Resilience (SG&R) technical unit within the
International Development Group brings together RTI experts and capabilities
across food security, agriculture, energy, environment, water, governance, and
economic opportunity. SG&R will leverage RTI’s experience designing and
delivering multisectoral programming and technical solutions to respond to
climate change, build resilience, and promote economic growth around the world.
Project Description
The
purpose of the USAID-funded Western Kenya Sanitation Project (USAID WKSP) is to
create a financially sustainable, transformative, replicable, and locally owned
sanitation marketplace in the eight counties of western Kenya. The main
objectives of the project are (1) increased access to and uptake of
market-based improved sanitation and fecal sludge management (FSM) products and
services; and (2) increased access to and uptake of market-based improved
menstrual hygiene management (MHM) products and services at the household
level. The target counties for this activity are: Bungoma, Busia, Homa Bay,
Kakamega, Kisii, Kisumu, Migori, and Siaya.
Responsibilities
RTI is
seeking an experienced Accountant for the USAID WKSP project. The accountant
will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the finance department,
reporting directly to the Finance Specialist.
Responsibilities
include, but are not limited to:
Support
the finance team in establishing and maintaining effective systems for timely
and cost-effective disbursement, accounting, budgeting, and reporting of
project funds in compliance with local and USAID regulations.
Provide
functional support for RTI’s finance and accounting functions.
Accurately
record and track expenses and financial transactions, including expense entry
and record-keeping.
Prepare
and submit monthly expense reports to the RTI home office.
Review
expenses and financial transactions to ensure compliance with RTI procedures
and terms of the agreement.
Maintain
an inventory tracking system, conducting periodic reviews to ensure compliance
with USAID and RTI procedures.
Perform
cash management functions for maintaining RTI bank accounts.
Manage
petty cash accounts.
Ensure
bi-weekly expense reporting from field offices is within the deadline.
Review
and submit monthly bank reconciliations.
Double-check
the accuracy of information to identify weaknesses or missing data, striving
for strict compliance and high-quality performance.
Reconcile
and follow up on VAT status reports.
Recommend
necessary improvements based on review findings to enhance the quality of
reporting.
Perform
other tasks as assigned by supervisors.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s
Degree and 5 years of experience, Master’s degree and 3 years of experience or
equivalent combination of education and experience.
Certified
Public Accountant (CPA) section 3 required.
Previous
experience with USAID-funded programs, and fluency with USAID policies and
procedures related to financial management, financial reporting, and grant
making.
Ability to
understand and interpret policies and procedures as well as the ability to
apply them with consistency in a variety of circumstances.
Ability
to function independently and carry out routine responsibilities with minimal
supervision.
Ability
to follow guidelines and controls required of the position.
Budgeting,
financial analysis, and MS Excel skills required.
Proficiency
with accounting software (QuickBooks preferred), Word, PowerPoint and Access.
Demonstrated
team player with effective cross-cultural interpersonal skills; able to develop
and communicate a common vision among diverse partners and lead
multidisciplinary teams.
Verbal
and written fluency in English, along with strong communications,
interpersonal, and presentation skills.
High
level of integrity and impeccable record in previous accounting positions.
Ability to
monitor progress of a project against milestones or deadlines.
Work
experience in Kenya required.
